Jack Butland has revealed he will not be at today’s game between Stoke City and Crystal Palace… because he will be watching rugby.

The Stoke number one, a guest this morning on Sky Sports’ Soccer AM programme, admitted when teased by presenter Lloyd Griffith that he will be at Twickenham to see England take on Samoa rather than Selhurst Park.

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The Potters ace, who is sidelined at the moment after breaking a finger while on England duty, added: “Obviously I go to all the Stoke games that I can, but I’ve got the chance to watch the rugby today so I am going to go to that.

“I’ve never really been a good watcher, I just don’t enjoy it. When you are not playing it is tough to be a spectator.”

Jack Butland... out with a broken finger (Image: Getty)

Bristol-born Jack comes from a rugby family and was a keen schoolboy player himself.

In a 2015 interview with The Telegraph, the 24-year-old revealed: “I used to get the ball and run through people. As I got older I went to No 8.

“(England star) Billy Vunipola’s my age and we beat his side in the final of the North Somerset Schools’.

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“I go and watch Sale Sharks and have been to Twickenham a few times. When we beat New Zealand (38-21 in 2012) - I was there that day! I love watching the Six Nations.”

But Stoke fans have no need to fear… Jack is now a committed Potter who is determined to win back the gloves at both the bet365 Stadium from Lee Grant and his England place from Everton’s Jordan Pickford.